Winners: Mack Brown’s critics, who liked to point out Texas’ six-game winning streak wasn’t legitimate except for the win over Oklahoma because of the weakness of the competition, found some solace in the 38-13 loss at home to Oklahoma State. Never mind the staggering number of injuries to key players suffered by the Longhorns. Brown’s critics are ready for change, even it takes season-ending losses to Texas Tech and Baylor to get it.

Loser: New Texas athletic director Steve Patterson is going to arrive on campus on Dec. 1 just in time for the decision to be made about whether Brown returns. It has been made clear it won’t be his decision alone. He has to be thankful for that. But he will have to deal with consequences. Brown, despite the downturn in the football program, remains popular among some wealthy donors and influential alumni.

Winner: Baylor advanced to No. 4 in the BCS standings, only losses by two of the three teams ranked ahead of the Bears, from playing in the national championship game. That could happen. Alabama has to play at Auburn, and, if it wins there, in the SEC title game. Florida State has to play Florida, which is not good but can salvage its season in a rivalry game, and in the ACC title game. Ohio State has to play Michigan, which is not good but can salvage its season in a rivalary game, and in the Big Ten title game. Baylor will improve its strength of schedule in remaining games against Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas and doesn’t have to play in a Big 12 title game because there isn’t one.

Winner: I can see it now, Christian Laettner with the winning field goal for Duke. Wrong sport. Is that really the Duke football team making noise in the ACC? Beating Miami? If the Blue Devils continue to win, they will be in the ACC title game against Florida State. Wouldn’t that be an upset — in football?

Losers: The college footballl schedule makers have done it to us again, setting up a huge weekend of No. 1 Alabama playing Chatanooga and No. 2 Florida State playing Idaho. Chris Dufresne in the Los Angeles Times asks if we can reseed, with Alabama playing Florida State and Chatanooga playing Idaho.

Winners: Rice, three days after coach David Bailiff’s father died, beat Louisiana Tech, 52-14, and could finish with nine victories with UAB and Tulane remaining on the schedule. Houston didn’t beat the two teams ahead of it in the AAC, UCF or Louisville, but who knew the Cougars had so many fans until Case Keenum became the starting quarterback for the Texans? You’d think they were the most popular college team in the country.

Loser: The “It Factor” took a beating after Auburn’s Hail Mary pass to beat Georgia. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn was tossing around that attribute of his quarterback Nick Marshall after the game and title saving pass. Marshall said he knew all he had to do was make a play for the Tigers to win. Did I see it wrong or was the reason the “It Factor” became a factor was because two Georgia Bulldogs failed to knock down a pass so short it had no chance to be completed unless they deflected it into the Auburn receiver’s hands? They don’t make “It Factors” like they used to.

Winner: Johnny Manziel didn’t play Saturday because of an off week for Texas A&M but gained in stature to repeat as Heisman Trophy winner. The favorite, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, could be in trouble with the law after sexual assault allegations and, even if he is cleared, isn’t finishing up his season against opponents that will impress voters. Manziel can impress voters if he leads the Aggies to a win in Baton Rouge this weekend against LSU.

Losers: Dieticians everywhere must be shuddering when they hear the secret to success of USC interim coach Ed Orgeron was to restock the training table with desserts, especially cupcakes and cookies. Former coach Lane Kiffin had taken away the desserts. No wonder no one wanted to play for him. Orgeron, despite the victory Saturday over No. 4 Stanford, might still not get the job fulltime. Kevin Sumlin, Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden and Lovie Smith have been mentioned as candidates. None should be thinking about taking away the cupcakes.